# NTSB LAX99LA224: Cessna 180K, N181RC, Santa Monica, CA, June 17, 1999 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 16, 1999, 18:09 local (Jun 17, 1999, 01:09 UTC) - Place: Santa Monica, CA - Coordinates: 34.030319, -118.499038 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.0303&lon=-118.4990&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report August 14, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 46635 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX99LA224 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/46635/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX99LA224 ## Probable cause The pilot's misjudged landing flare which resulted in a hard landing and the subsequent porpoising of the airplane; and his failure to maintain directional control that resulted in a ground loop and substantial damage to the airplane. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown - flare - misjudged, pilot in command (cause) - porpoise/pilot-induced oscillation - encountered, pilot in command (contributing factor) - Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - ground loop/swerve - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause) ## Analysis The pilot attempted to make a three point, full stall landing, but stalled the airplane about 1 foot above the runway. On touchdown the tail struck the runway and the airplane bounced back into the air. As the airplane continued to porpoise down the runway, the pilot added power and left rudder when a gust of wind caught the airplane from the right. The left wing tip struck the runway and the airplane ground looped. ## Factual narrative On On June 16, 1999, at 1809 hours Pacific daylight time, a Cessna 180K, N181RC, ground looped after landing on runway 21 at the Santa Monica, California, airport. The airplane, operated under 14 CFR Part 91, sustained substantial damage. The private pilot/owner was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions existed for the personal flight and no flight plan was filed. The flight had departed Santa Monica earlier that day. An intermediate stopover was made at the Santa Ana, California, airport. The airplane departed about 1630, and was scheduled to terminate at Santa Monica. In an interview with a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector, the pilot stated that the purpose of the flight to Santa Ana was to receive additional training in his conventional gear airplane. The pilot reported no discrepancies during training at Santa Ana or the return trip to Santa Monica. The pilot stated that when he entered the traffic pattern he remained at a higher altitude due to traffic around him. He reported that he made a steep vertical descent before leveling off on final. He then struck his tail during touchdown. The airplane porpoised several times, coming to rest after ground looping. According to a written statement submitted by the pilot, he attempted to make a three point, full stall landing. He misjudged his round out and stalled the airplane about 1 foot above the runway. The pilot reported that the airplane bounced back into the air and he added a little power, but not enough, which resulted in another hard landing. He stated that a gust of wind then picked up his right wing causing the airplane to turn to the right. He applied left rudder and differential braking but the left wing tip contacted the runway. According to the pilot, the airplane came to rest 90 degrees from the initial touchdown point. A witness to the accident stated that the airplane landed hard and porpoised down the runway four times before the left wing hit and the airplane ground looped. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N181RC](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N181RC), registered now, S/N 18052982, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 180K - Registry model: [Cessna 180K](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-180k) (registry code 2072624) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 18052982 - Engines: Continental O-470-U 230 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Douglas N. Wheeler - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, April 16, 1999 - Departed: SNA, SANTA ANA, CA - Destination: SMO - Airport: SMO, Santa Monica, runway 21, 4,987 × 150 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 59; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 165 total, 15 in this make and model, 100 as pilot in command, 17 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 210° at 8 knots - Visibility: 8 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 1,100 ft broken - Temperature: 63 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: SMO ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 19990616007389A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19990616007389A), Jun 16, 1999: Cessna 180K, Santa Monica, CA, Substantial damage. (.4)The pilot attempted to make a three point, full stall landing, but stalled the airplane about 1 foot above the runway. On touchdown the tail struck the… From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.